Heating and ventilating unit



Jan, 21, 1930; w. SHURTLEFF 1,744,511

HEATING AND VENTILATING- UNIT Filed Jan. 22, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Jan. 21, 1930. w. SHURTLEFF HEATING AND .VENTILATING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1923 m inue Rte/ LZ e66- Sim/36f 33/ Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE o WILFRED SHURTLEFF, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HERMAN NELSON COR- PORATION, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS HEATING AND VENTILATING UNIT Application filed January 22, 1923. Serial No. 614,070.

This invention relates to heating and ventilating units, and moreparticularly to heata unit adapted to be installed in the room to be heated, and in conjunction with an air opening to the outside atmosphere through which fresh air is drawn into the unit and discharged therefrom after passing through a compartment containing a heating element.

The primary object 'of the invention is to provide a heating and ventilating unit of the character described embodying an improved construction calculated to materially increase the efliciency of the device as a heating unit,

to substantially decrease the size and weight of the unit, thereby reducing the space occupied and otherwise eliminating numerous obj ectionable features, such as transportation and installation difficulties.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a heating and ventilating unit a structure in which the housing and heating elements form a unit, and hence may be shipped and installed in completely assembled form, and by reason of its lightness may be mounted upon the wall and hence clear of the floor.

The novel features herein mentioned are principally the result of the utilization of a highly efficient type of heating element or radiator, heretofore limited in its use to the field of automobile cooling systems, but readily ada table to heating purposes as an element 0 the type of heating apparatus herein disclosed. The type of radiator contemplated is of the so-called cellular, tubular, or honey-comb structure, as they are variously termed, depending on the structure. This type of radiator, regardless of its name, is characterized chiefly by its extreme lightness in Weight in proportion to the radiator area,

mg and ventilating apparatus comprising weight and size, has limited to a great extent the adaptability of the units. In the first place, it has been the practice to support radiators upon the floor, thus limiting at once the location of the unit; Again, the size of the radiator required to obtain the necessary heating surface necessitated a correspondingly large casing or cabinet, which occupied considerable space in the room and aisles,

and therefore objectionable for that reason. Moreover, from the standpoint of manufacture, transportation, and installation, the cast-iron radiator could not be made a part of the unit, but had to be shipped and installed separately, often requiring two classes of labor to completely install the apparatus. One material objection to the cast-iron radiator has'been in the designin and installation of heating units in new bui dings because of the discrepancy between the actual height of the fresh air duct above the floor level and that specified in the plans, thus making it diflicult to install the heating equipment in the finished building. Therefore, by the designing of an improved structure incorporating the light cellular radiator, the objec tions and disadvantages above enumerated may be eliminated, as well as other advantages secured, as will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompany drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view showing a heating unit installed in a room,

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the unit, as taken on line 2, 2 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3is a view in vertical section of the unit'as taken on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the radiator removed from the cabinet.

In general, the unit embodies a housing or cabinet 1 adapted to be secured against the outside wall 2 of a room and having an air inlet passage or duct 2 near its bottom opening through the wall and communicating with the outside atmosphere. Within the cabinet is formed a compartment in which is mounted a suction fan 3 directly in front of the intake opening 2 to the cabinet, and a motor 4 directly connected to the fan. In the upper portion of the cabinet is a vertically arranged heating element or radiator 5 of the so-called cellular type. In the top wall 6 of the cabinet is an air outlet or discharge opening 7 preferably covered by a grating and located between the radiator and the front wall 8 of the cabinet. A damper 9 is mounted in the passage formed between the radiator and the front wall, and serves to control the ratio of heated and unheated air discharged into the room.

The cabinet 1 is preferably fabricated of sheet metal and forms a unitary closure capable of supporting the radiator, and being supported by the building wall. The dimensions of the cabinet are variable, depending on the size and capacity of the unit, although in general shape it is somewhat elongated horizontally and relatively shallow in depth, this latter feature being of special importance inasmuch as this determines the distance which the cabinet projects into the room. The height of the cabinet is such as to extend between the window-sill 2 and the lower edge of the air intake opening 2", the bottom of the unit being elevated well above the floor with a clear. space below. However, the location of-the unit need not be confined to any particular place in the room, although the arrangement suggested is a convenient one.

The air duct 2 is preferably a rectangular opening through the building wall, having its outer opening covered by a grillelO with a series of louvres 11 just inside of the grille for controlling the volume of air to be admitted as well as protection against a driving rain or snow.

The inner surface of the duct is preferably lined with metal, this being in the form of Q a sleeve 12, either forming a part of the cabinet and adapted to be inserted into the duct as a means for giving added support to the unit, or as a separate sleeve to which the cabinet may'be attached, through the medium of a telescoping flange, or in some other suitable manner. portion of the cabinet may be fastened to the wall by brackets, or in one of a number of ways. J The main fastening for the cabinet, however, is combined with an independent support for the motor and fan which will now be described.

The motor 4, which is of the usual type used for the purpose, is locatedopposite the opening to the air duct and in the forward portion of the cabinet, the fan 3 being mounted on the motor shaft immediately in front of said opening. Surrounding the motor casing is a bracket or cradle made up If necessary, the upperof two semi-circular straps 13, 13, bolted together at their ends. Strips of pliable material 14, 14, such as felt, are preferably in serted between the motor casing and the cradle as a means of absorbing the motor vibrations, and hence deadening the sound of the motor and fan. Fixed to the straps forming the motor support are four arms 15 extending radially in the form of a spider, these arms being carried radially outwardly a distance suflicient to clear the fan, and thence lateraly toward the opening in the rear of the wall of the cabinet, where they are supported in a rectangular metal frame 16 fitting into the entrance to said opening, and having ears 16 through which the arms extend. The end portions of the arms 15 extend through the air duct in close proximity to the top and bottom surface, the outer extremities being anchored in a flanged frame 17 fitting in the outer end of the air duct,

there being nuts applied to the ends of saidarms which may be tightened, thus drawing all parts of the unit tightly against the wall and holding it firmly in place.

It is to be observed, however, that the motor and fan are supported by the building wall quite independently of the cabinet. This arrangement eliminates the transmission of any motor vibrations to the cabinet, and hence the noise that would otherwise result. i

As a desirable type of fan for the purpose, one which delivers a large volume of air at a relatively low speed and with little noise, is to be preferred. As an example of such a fan, a cone type fan is disclosed, so-called from the conical shaped hub directed toward the source of the air supply. A further characteristic of the cone fan is its comparative large diameter, and particular blade arrangement, whereby the air is delivered at the periphery. A further advantage of this type of fan is its comparatively reduced depth or transverse dimension, which permits it to be housed in the cabinet of reduced depth.

To secure a still more compact motor and fan assembly, the conical hub 3 of the fan is recessed or countersunk on the motor side, thus permitting the fan to be set closer to the motor, the shaft 19 of the latter extending into said conical depression and keyed beyond. A further advantage of this arrangement is to position the plane of rotation of the fan more nearly in vertical alinement with the shaft bearing, thus tending to dampen the motor vibrations, and promote a smoother running balance.

The motor is of the usual standard construction and therefore need not be described in detail. However, the matter of lubrication requires especial attention, owing to the inaccessibility of the inner bearing adjacent the fan, as in most motors the armature shaft is journalled in bearings 20, 20, at either end of the motor casing and which include an oil reservoir and an oil ring, the latter running on. the shaft and partially submerged in the oil. This is common practice. A U-shaped oil pipe 21 is connected between the bearings and with the periodic filling of the outer bearing reservoir through the usual filling opening 22, the level of the oil in both reservoirs is maintained constant and an adequate oil supply to the inner bearing is assured. Access to the motor as well as tothe interior of the cabinet is obtained by arranging the front wall 8 so that it may be removed, a suitable arrangement of flanges being provided in the construction of the cabinet so that said front wall may be easily lifted out and replaced by the handles 8*. Owing to the projection of the outer motor bearing beyond the plane of the front wall 8, a circular enlargement 23 is formed so as to provide sufficient clearance.

Referring now in detail to the radiator 5, the same has already been described as to its general structure and location within the cabinet. The radiator consists-of a cellular body 24 of copper sheeting so fabricated as to provide a multitude of small transverse passages or fines extending therethrough and separated by thin double wall partitions forming the passages for the steam. Along the top and bottom of the cellular structure and forming an integral part of the radiator are headers 25,25, respectively, the top header being connected with the steam supply pipe 26 and the lower header with the return pipe 27. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the radiator extends vertically downward from the top wall of the cabinet substantially midway between the front and back walls, its lower edge being well above the fan and motor. In length it extends from end to end of the cabinet and is supported thereby in the following manner: Above and below the radiator and engaging the headers are channel members 28 and 29 secured rigidly to the cabinet at their ends by means of rivets passing through ears 28 and 29 formed at the ends of said channel members, respectively. Thus the radiator rests upon the lower channel member and is anchored against displacement by the'upper channel. member. As a preferable method of connecting the steam pipes to the radiator, threaded connections 30, 30 are provided at opposite ends and project laterally therefrom, the inlet connectionbeing at theright end of the upper header and the return connection at the left end of the lower header (Fig. 2) The steam supply and return pipes 26 and 27 lead up to the points of connection in the usual manner, and thescrew threaded connections are made with the projecting connections of the radiator. In order to protect the comparatively fragile radiator from strains and stresses due to the contraction and elongation of the pipes leading to and from the radiator, it is preferred to insert the radiator connections 30, 30 through apertured blocks or plates 31, 31 which are firmly riveted to the end walls of the cabinet. Thus any movement due to the elongation in the piping is transferred to the cabinet instead of being transmitted to the radiator, with the attendant possibility of the same being ruptured by the continual stresses to which it would be subjected.

As hertofore explained, the discharge opening 7 of the cabinet is located in the top wall 6 thereof, being a comparatively narrow grated opening or slot, extending the full length of and confined to the portion of the Wall immediately above the vertical passage 1 between the front face of the radiator and the front Wall 8 of the cabinet. Hinged to the upstanding flange of the lower channel member 29 is the swinging damper 9 extending in a general upward direction. The transverse dimension of the damper is such that in closed position it lies flat against the exposed front face of the radiator, and substantially in the plane of the forward flanges of the supporting channel members, thus completely closing the discharge ends of the transverse air passages through said radiator. The damper is further capable of being adjusted by suitable regulating means, to be positioned obliquely across the passage, thus closing it entirely, or in any one of several intermediate positions of partial closing. In such intermediate position the damper performs the function of regulating the volume of air passing indirectly through the radiator, and directly through the passage, which is in reality a by-pass duct around the radiator.

From the foregoing description the action of the units and its regulating is quite manifest, although a further description maybe desirable. The motor driven fan obviously draws a predetermined volume of air into the cabinet, thus creating a static pressure therein, after the manner of a. plenum chamber. The air thus escapes to the discharge opening either by passing transversely through the radiator, or directly through the vertical passage, depending upon the position of the damper. If the damper is fullyv open thus shutting off the vertical passage, the entire volume of air passes through the radiator and thus is discharged at maximum temperature. If the damper is partially opened, a part of the air passes through the radiator and the remainder directly through the passage, and

the mixing of the two currents of air at the discharge opening produces a more moderately tempered flow of air into the room. 7

Finally, the full closing of the damper shuts off the path through the radiator and the entire volume of air is discharged through the. passage at substantially the temperature of the outside atmosphere, except fora tempering effect" of the heat absorbed from the walls of the cabinet and parts in contact with the radiator. Manifestly, the adjustment of the damper and the resulting temperature of the air discharged is governed by weather conditions and the desired temperature to be maintained in the room. The mounting of the damper so that it may be thrown up against the face of the radiator, and coinpletely closing it off from t e vertical passage, is a desirable feature i that it reduces the radiation of heat from the radiator and hence the rate of steam consumption there- From the foregoing description, the advantages secured by the structure disclosed may be readily appreciated. The material reduction in size and weight of the radiator makes possible the advent ,of a more efficient heating apparatus of greatly reduced cubic content, thus increasing greatly the field of use for heating and ventilating systems of this character, as well as eliminating the many difiiculties that attend the installation of the apparatus. By providing a light, selfcontained radiator, the entire device may be secured to the wall, thus affording greater latitude in the location of' the air ducts and avoiding the necessity of considering floor levels and height and arrangement of windows.

I claim 1. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a portable housing having an air inlet opening to thelower portion thereof, and an upwardly directed air discharge opening, a radiator of relatively light construction extending lengthwise of said housing below said discharge opening and supported between the end walls thereof, said radiator having a multitude of air passages therethrough for the passage of air to be heat-. ed, and forming with an adjacent wall of said housing a free air passage, and a damper for controlling the Volume of air passing through said radiator.

2. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a housing having an air inlet near its bottom and an outlet opening at the top thereof, a fan mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet opening, a radiator extending lengthwise of said housing and spaced from one of the adjacent vertical walls thereof to form a vertical passage to said outlet, said radiator having a plurality of passages therethrough also directed toward said outlet, and a damper hinged to be swung across the outlet side of said radiator passa es.

E. In a heatingand ventilating unit, the combination of a housing having an air inlet near its bottom and an outlet opening at the top thereof, a fan mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet opening, a radiator supported in the upper portion of said housing adjacent said .outlet opening and hav ng transverse air passages therethrough, said raeach other.

diator forming with a parallel wall a passage to said outlet opening, and a damper hinged adjacent the lower portion of said radiator and adapted to direct a part or all of the air through said radiator or through said passage.

4. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a building wall having an air duct therethrough, of a housing having an inlet opening registering with said air duct, and an air outlet opening, a fan and motor in said housing, and a support for said fan and motor engaging said building wall at said duct and acting to clamp said housing against said wall.

5. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a housing having an air inlet opening near its bottom and an air outlet at its top, a radiator extending lengthwise of ed in said housing and supporting said ra diator therebetween, pipes connected with said radiator, and means for reinforcing the radiator at the pipe connections.

6, In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a housing having an air inlet opening near its bottom and an air outlet at its top, a radiator and channel members mounted in the upper portion of said housing in vertically spaced relation, and supporting said radiator therebetween, pipeconnections to said headers, and a plate fiii ed' to the housing wall through which said pipe connections extend.

i 7. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a portable housing adapted to be located in the room to be heated or ventilated, and against a side wall thereof, a heater supported within said housing and by the walls thereof, a motor driven fan enclosed by said housing, and a supporting fixture anchored to said side wall and supporting said fan and housing thereupon independently of each other.

8. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination of a portable housing adapted to be located in the room to be heated or ventilated, and against a side wall thereof, a heater supported within said housing and by the walls thereof, a fan unit including motor and fan enclosed by said housing, and a supporting fixture anchored in the side wall and supporting said fan unit and housing clear of the floor of said room, and independently of 9. In a heating and ventilating unit. the combination with a relatively light housing adapted to be located against the side wall of the room to be heated or ventilated and having an air inlet adapted to register.with an air duct in said wall, and having an air outlet; a heating element of relativgly light construction supported by the walls of said housing; and a fan unit including a motor and fan enclosed within said housing and having means extending exteriorly of said housing by which said fan unit is supported independently of said housing.

10. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a plurality of walls defining a closed housing, said housing being adapted to be located against the side wall of the room to be heated or ventilated and having an air inlet near its bottom adapted to register with an air duct in said wall, and an air outlet at its top; a heating element supported within said housing; and a fan unit including a motor and fan, enclosed within said housing and having means bearing against the side Wall of the room to support the fan unit independently of the various walls defining said housing.

11. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a portable housing having top, bottom and side walls, and having an air inlet and an air outlet; a heating element mounted in said housing; a fan unit including a motor and fan mounted in said housing and having means fixed. exteriorly of said housing and independently thereoffor supporting said fan unit clear of the various walls of said housing. I s

12. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a housing adapted to be mounted in a room to be heated and ventilated, said housing having an inlet opening near its bottom and an outlet opening near its top; a heater mounted in saidhousing adjacent said outlet opening and supported by the walls thereof, there being a by-pass connecting said outlet With the space below the heater; a fan unit enclosed Within said housing below said heater and supported independently of the walls of said housing; and a single damper mounted in said loy-pass for controlling the volume of air passing through both the heater and the by-pass.

13. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a housing having an inlet opening at its bottom and an outlet near its top; a heating element mounted in the upper portion of said housing and below said outlet opening, said heating element being provided with horizontally extending passages, and means defining a vertical free air passage adjacent said heater and connecting the spaces above and below said heater, the passages in said heater being disposed to discharge intosaid free air passage; a damper mounted in said free air passage and operative to control the volume of air passing through both the heater and said free air passage; and a fan mounted in the space below said heater and adapted to draw air through the inlet opening in the housing and impel it-upwardly through said heater and free air passage to said outlet opening.

14. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a housing having an inlet opening at its bottom and an outlet opening near its top; a heating element mounted in the upper portion of said housing and below said outlet opening, said heating ele-, ment being provided w1th passages therethrough, and means defining a free air passage adjacent said heater and connecting the spaces above and below said heater, the passages in said heater being disposed to discharge into said free air passage; a damper mounted in said free air passage and oper ative to control the volume of air passing through both the heater and said free air passage; a fan mounted in the space below said heater and adapted to draw air through the inlet opening of the housing and impel it upwardly through said heater and free air passage to said outlet opening, said fan being supported for operation independently of said housing.

15. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a housing adapted to be mounted in a room to be heated and ventilated, said housing having an inlet opening near its bottom and an outlet opening near its top; a heater mounted in said housing adjacent said outlet opening and supported by the walls thereof, there being a substantially vertical by-pass connecting said outlet with the space below the heater, said heater hav-' ing transversely extending passages discharging into said by-pass; a motor-driven fan enclosed Within the housing below said heater; and a single damper mounted in said by-pass for controlling the volume of air passing through both the heater and the byass. 7

16. In a heating and ventilating unit, the combination with a Vertically disposed wall; of a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a heating element supported by the walls thereof; a fan unit including a motor and fan enclosed within said housing; and means secured to said wall and extending into said housing to support said fan unit, said means serving also to suspend said hous ing on said wall.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 9 day of January, A. D. 1923.

WILFRED SHURTLEFF. 

